Hectic Day on the Hill

A last minute effort to filibuster a nominee to SCOTUS is the new black. The Senators from Massachusetts, Kerry and Kennedy, are trying to launch a guerrilla attack on Judge Samuel Alito, but many (read all) are saying the die has been cast and Alito will be confirmed.
Sen. Durbin says he has 37 ‘No’ votes  on the Cloture motion that will follow the attempt to filibuster. He needs 40.  Lincoln Chaffee, the moderate Republican from Rhode Island who is facing a primary challenge from the right, has announced he is voting ‘No’ on Alito, though it isn’t clear how he’ll vote on cloture.

For the back story on how a blonde staffer didn’t influence John Kerry’s decision to filibuster, go here.
The filibuster may be the only thing quirkier then a House leadership race.